Pat Carrigan set to throw out first pitch

Wednesday

Feb 6, 2013 at 12:23 PM

Evaluations are over. Practice is underway.

By Jamie VoisineCorrespondent

Evaluations are over. Practice is underway.In a little less than a month, local youth baseball leagues will be preparing to throw out the first pitch of the season.At Scott Carrigan Field, that first pitch will be more special than most.It was back in the summer of 1981, when Pat Carrigan’s son, Scott, began a courageous battle with leukemia that touched the hearts of any and all patrons associated with Clyatt Park.Despite his tired, ailing body, Scott’s love for the game never wavered as he exhibited pure joy on the baseball diamond that summer. He succumbed to the illness later that year at the age of 12, but his story has never been forgotten.On March 9 – 32 years later -- Pat Carrigan will return to the field, which is named for her precious boy, to throw out the league’s opening pitch.“It’s a big deal,” said league president Mickey Hendrickson. “It’s been awhile since Mrs. Carrigan has been out there, so she’ll be out there and I’m guessing about a dozen or more of the kids that actually played with Scott Carrigan will also be at the field.”Opening day ceremonies at the recently renovated field will be a day-long event and will feature various activities for guests to enjoy. League games will begin the following Monday, March 11.“We haven’t done (a big opening day ceremony), to my understanding, in years,” said Hendrickson. “But because of the park being remodeled we kind of want to show (what’s been done).”A little further south on 464, Ocala Rotary Sportsplex is preparing to host its second Cal Ripken World Series for the 10U division in August.Rotary, which also hosted the event in 2010 and will host the 14U Babe Ruth World Series in 2014, will earn an automatic bid as tournament host and league vice president Eric Fabian is optimistic about a good showing on the national level.“We’ve got a good group of 10-year-olds,” he said. “The team last year that was 9 years old would be this year’s team. They went and won the state tournament last year and went undefeated at the state tournament so we have a good feeling that they’ll have a good showing, you know, not only for us — Rotary — but Ocala, Marion County, as well.”Before anyone can really think about the World Series, however, the regular season must be played. Practice has already begun and games will begin in early March.The Highlands, Belleview and Wrigley Fields are also looking forward to successful seasons.With opening day scheduled for March 2, Highlands president Brandon Jones is excited about the possibilities for his league this season.“We’ve got a lot of really good ballplayers returning and a lot of new ballplayers,” he said. “We look to be very competitive and we look to have a good time with the kids, teaching them good baseball and sportsmanship.”For Wrigley president Lanny Thompson, the season is more about the kids’ experience over anything else.“I’d be happier if the kids all had a positive experience and learned more about the game of baseball or softball, because we do both,” he said. “Yes, you want to do well at tournaments and have your kids be successful and what-not, but at that age, you know 8-9-10 years old, we want them to be successful learning the game and learning how to play the game rather than wins and losses.”Like Scott Carrigan Field, the Belleview Sports Complex has undergone some recent renovations, with lots more to come. The impending transformation, along with the league’s overall talent level, has newly-elected president Jason Butcher energized about the future.“Since Marion County Parks and Recreation took our park over last October they’ve been wonderful to work with and have done a lot to renovate our park,” he said. “We’re going to be painting dugouts and just sprucing everything up over here.”With the beginning of baseball season upon us, the talent has been assembled and it’s up to the area’s youth coaches to develop it well -- the battle for city supremacy is just around the corner. Let’s play ball!